My XA is getting moldy?

[2REP]

Hi,

I've just received an Olympus XA from my dad. I tested one roll of film with the XA and operation wise it's still in good condition. But I've found the photos I've taken are little bit hazy .... when I open the back of the camera I can see some spider web like line running at the back of the lens .... is the lens getting mold?

Please see the attached test photo, it was taken at a rather sunny day.

 

[2REP]

oh forgot to say the film was Fuji X-Tra 400 and F5.6 (or F4, can't really remember .. hee 😀 )

 

[richard_l]

My XA got a fungus on the inside of the rear lens element.

 

[2REP]

If it looks like spiderweb and is on or in the lens. It's probably fungus.

thanks greyhoundman.

hmm ... now I have to decide to take it to have it serviced or not ... if I can find someone to service the XA that is .... 🙁

 

[John Shriver]

The optical block of the XA is tricky to work on. There's a free PDF of the service manual about on the web. Special precision jigs are required to properly locate the groups of the lens. It's a very tricky internally focusing design. If it's not right, it won't be sharp.

My XA has some issues with the rear side of the rear lens, that appear to be more of a coating deterioration. Look similar to what you describe. It's not really the sort of location one would expect fungus. But, I've never cleaned it with Pond's cold cream, either. (The Olympus-recommended fungus remover.)